2002 - Smyth Companies Marks 125 Years in Business

Friday, January 25, 2002

Press release from the issuing company

ST.PAUL, MN – January 24, 2002 – Smyth Companies, Inc., a printing company with headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota, celebrates 125 years in business in 2002. Smyth is a producer of primary labels for mass-marketed consumer goods, point-of-purchase retail displays, and package-centered promotions. In addition, the company manufactures and licenses high-speed application equipment for labels and promotional items.
Henry Martin (H.M.) Smyth joined the company of Price Mitchell in downtown St. Paul in 1877. It was a timely entry into the printing business. Technological advancements were improving the process of papermaking, and the offset press would appear in 1905. Smyth’s first projects included printing stock and bond certificates, maps, and books. The company’s sales grew in those early years, and so did its’ customer base. Some of those initial customers remain with the company today. In the early 1950’s, Smyth began to shift more towards the production of labels as the market was rapidly expanding. The new business warranted more space, and construction of the current corporate headquarters site began in 1955. Since the original construction, there have been two additions and the current site is now 110,000 square feet.
Through acquisition and expansion, Smyth Companies has added facilities and capabilities to become a full service provider of packaging decoration and promotion solutions. The company currently employs over 550 people at six plant locations in Minnesota, Virginia, and Colorado. Continuing the company’s tradition of industry innovation, Smyth has recently made major investments in technology such as computer-to-plate (CTP), to provide a totally digital workflow and eliminate costs to the customer for consumable items like film and hard proofs. Proprietary carton inspection equipment has also been installed at the St. Paul location to address the industry wide problem of mixed label cartons.
Smyth is planning a number of events, both customer and employee focused, to recognize the 125 year milestone.